A spring Mushroom.

We are talking about the dangerous Korvasieni,False Morel,(Gyromitra esculenta), a poisonous mushroom widely distributed in coniferous woodlands across Europe and north America, which grows in sandy soils in spring or early summer.

In a few manuals for mushroom identification, this item might be classified as edible after long cooking. But the matter goes deeper than that. Before cooking the False Morel as your receipt is, you must go through a long and careful procedure to eliminate the poison: you must boil it a few times in a quantity of water which is three times the quantity of mushrooms; you must throw away the water after each boiling and clean again the mushrooms; you must keep windows open during boiling…etc…

In spite of its dangerousness, many people appreciate this mushroom and look for it every spring; probably they do not mind its aspect, neither… 😉

The fun fact about this mushroom is related to its name in Finnish: Korvasieni means “the ear mushroom”, as its shape reminds of the auricle (not only in humans).

45 thoughts on “Un fungo primaverile.”

Hunting for mushrooms must be fun, but you need to know which ones to take and which ones to leave. I don’t think I would like to risk eating korvasieni. You would need a strong stomach – not worth the experiment of preparing and eating it.

Such delicious photos! 😀
We have eaten them in the past, and looking for, finding and picking mushrooms is always fun.
Nowadays we seem to pick and eat mainly Boletus and Cantharellus.
Have a happy week ahead, Luisella! xx

Before I found your English translation I looked it up online. It says that it also called the Turban Fungus. It is said to be here in North America but I’ve never come across it. My mason bee nesting blocks and tubs are all full so they have been put away until next March when I’ll bring them out to start all over. – Margy

You found this mushroom in Italy, or Finland? A great name – it does look an ear! From your post I couldn’t tell if you went through the long procedure to get the venom out of this mushroom yourself? Such an interesting post for All Seasons – thank you for sharing it! Have a great “mushroomy” week:)
(In English, “mushrooming” may be a play on words for things blowing out bigger, or things, or viewpoints increasing in size).